Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day. A day that usually goes by without much fuss.  This year my family is celebrating the holiday.  I was going to take the kids for a hike in a local state park.  But rains and chilly weather squelched my plans.  Our plans now include taking our recycling to the center and watching Disney's Oceans on Netflix. 

There are so many ways families can be green without buying a hybrid vehicle.  Here is a list you can try with your family:

  1. Start recycling.  Newspapers, cardboard boxes, plastic jugs, homework papers, magazines, glass, junk mail ect.  Set up a bin for your recyclables and teach your children what goes in the bin.  They will really enjoy putting stuff in the bin for you.  
  2. Use reusable grocery bags.  They come in a variety of styles and colors.  Join me in making cashiers insanely mad when you hand them a bunch of bags.  Most stores are not set up for the cashiers to have an easy time filling cloth grocery bags.  But if we use them more often that will change.  A bonus for cloth bags is that they hold more which means less trips back and forth to your vehicle.  They also come in handy for sports events and long trips.
  3. Turn off the lights.  Before the kids leave each morning for school have them run through the house turning off all the lights.  Be sure you do them same when you leave the house.  Don't forget about unplugging cell phone chargers when not in use. Unplug kitchen appliances that are not being used.
  4. Run the dishwasher or clothes washer only when they are full.  This will waste less water.
  5. Turn the facet off while brushing your teeth.  Have the kids do the same.  So much water is wasted just when brushing our teeth.  Think of how many gallons of water you will be saving.  
  6. Take shorter showers instead of long showers or baths.
  7. Turn the thermostat down a bit in the winter and wear warmer clothes.  Or do the opposite in the warmer months. You will use less energy.
  8. If possible walk to where you are going.  Its great exercise, will save you money, and Mother Earth will love you for it.
  9. Plant something.  A tree, an indoor herb garden, flowers, etc.  Plants give off oxygen.  Plus, they are pretty to look at.
  10. Use reusable lunch bags and sandwich bags.  There are so many different styles out there.  We love our sandwich bags.  We use them for school lunches, road trips snacks and many other things.  
This is a short list.  There are so many ways you can be green.  Take small steps.  Even smalls steps help you reach your destination.  Involve your family.  We want our children to respect the Earth.  I hope you and your family has a wonderful and very green Earth Day!

1 comment:

  1. Nice comments. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to see other bloggers who are interested in making all of our lives richer! :)
    Thanks for visiting "Mrs. No-No Knows"! I am now following you back! :) Hope you will stop back often and put in your two cents.
    Carla aka Mrs. No-No
    Mrs. No-No Knows
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